By Aleida Wahn
With a hard right hook, a punishing bike ride, the playing of a treasured musical instrument or the exhilaration of the open ocean, stress is magically banished. Hardworking attorneys reveal their go-to formulas for de-stressing during taxing trial days and intense lawyering.
Meredith Levin is a certified family law specialist and knows the deep satisfaction of helping clients through the most difficult period of their lives. Emotions run high in the family court arena, and not from clients alone. Meredith has had to remind more than one opposing counsel that “we are not the ones divorcing.” When stress and frustration rule the day, Meredith turns to boxing. “Boxing is an incredible workout where you burn calories while you learn the sweet science of the sport. Feeling strong can do wonders for your confidence, inside the courtroom and in engaging with opposing counsel. Hitting a bag with my beloved gloves allows me to deal with whatever may be bothering me that day. The act of punching is cathartic, plain and simple. When I am done with my workout, I feel more relaxed and energetic and the best version of myself, so I can help my clients. I would encourage anyone to try boxing. I promise you will feel great and be able to brag about your mean right hook.”
Keith Greer is a trial attorney through and through, moving from one trial to the next, seemingly without taking a breath. Keith confronts the stress from trial head-on through a razor-sharp focus on winning, and with the unwavering strength bestowed from his wife. “I’ve learned that the key to success is being completely focused and 100 percent committed to winning, regardless of the odds against you. That means there is no time for rest or relaxation during trial. I lost 20 pounds during the recent six-week Rebecca Zahau wrongful death case. During the intensity of a trial, my wife is always an enduring anchor of support. Our connection is unbreakable, and her presence calms me in any situation. After a trial is over, I escape with her to open waters behind the wheel of my boat to clear my head and recharge.”
Peter Liss runs a criminal defense practice representing adults and juveniles. As a former Legal Aid Society attorney and Deputy Public Defender, he has hundreds of trials under his belt, including intense death penalty work. When stress hits, he turns to his bike and friendship. “Through my spin class I met a UCSD scientist and doctor, Albert La Spada, who needed a biking partner. Al designed a grueling ride with hills and switchbacks from Carmel Valley to Rancho Santa Fe. Al was recently named the founding director of Duke’s Center for Neurodegeneration & Neurotherapeutics, yet his example of true humility and focus on family have taught me lifelong lessons. I find after a weekend of riding and spinning and not thinking too much about law, I am able to focus on my work with renewed energy.”
Brian White is a certified criminal law specialist and criminal trial lawyer. To him, making music offers priceless gifts. “Lawyers spend a lot of time using the left side of their brains. As a trial lawyer, I constantly need to find creative ways of persuasion. Playing music — guitar and blues harp — is a great way for me to get out of my lawyer head and access the creative side of my brain. Trial work involves a lot of thinking, but with music, you can’t overthink your playing. The less you think and the more you feel, the easier it is to be in the moment and the better you sound. When you play with other musicians, you communicate with another language. For me playing guitar and blues harp is a perfect way to release stress and transport myself away from the logical lawyer mind.”
Liz Bumer is without stop in the courtroom on criminal and civil cases. Although her expertise may span many fields from criminal matters to civil rights, personal injury and employment cases, she is forever steadfast in her devotion to surfing. “When I am not working, I enjoy being outdoors. My favorite activity is surfing. When I’m not surfing, I paddle with an outrigger canoe club on Mission Bay or paddle a stand-up paddleboard. I especially enjoy road trips to compete in surfing contests or outrigger canoe races. These activities enrich my life and get me out of the office environment. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in the legal field and to be able to surf. I am humbled by both.”
Wendy Patrick has spent decades in the courtroom as a career prosecutor, while also balancing media commentating and international speaking. “One thing I have learned over the years from the trial lawyers I admire is the necessity of balancing stress with satisfaction. I balance my trial schedule with faith and music, definitely in that order. I spend many Friday afternoons dashing from the courtroom to the concert hall to perform with the La Jolla Symphony, and Sunday mornings I perform with my church worship band. During holidays and special events, I have the good fortune to play my electric violin with a rock band comprised of a talented group of fellow prosecutors and defense attorneys. Speaking and teaching internationally does not break my routine. Here I am on a borrowed violin performing with the Handong International Law School worship band in Pohang, South Korea, where I was honored to teach a course on combating human trafficking.”
Aleida Wahn is an attorney at law.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of San Diego Lawyer.